The recent referendum by Crimea to re-join Russia has raised international concerns over Russia’s use of force on its territorial expansion into Ukraine. I believe the reason for the international community rejecting the referendum by Crimea is due to Russia’s use of its military force against Ukraine. Indeed, one wonders how good a referendum it is when the cannons are all pointed at Crimea by the Russian troops, forcing the Ukrainians’ decision. They live in fear because of the possibility of an imminent attack by Russian troops gathered at the borders of Ukraine.

In the same way, at times, we may face overwhelming fears in our lives. This could be due to the loss of loved ones, deteriorating health, loss of a job, or, a seemingly hopeless situation, which may seem too overwhelming for us to handle. The situation may make us seem all too helpless.

In Mark 4:35-41, the disciples of Jesus were caught in a stormy night while out at sea and were in danger of losing their lives.

“That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, ‘Let us go over to the other side.’

Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

He said to his disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’

They were terrified and asked each other, ‘Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!’ ”

It seems that the disciples were in the storm of their lives. Jesus saves them from their precarious situation and rebukes them for their lack of faith. In the same way, we may be in the storm of our lives. In times like these, we should look to our Saviour who is able to see us through the storms in our lives unscathed and untouched.

We take heart that our Almighty God and our LORD and Saviour is the same yesterday, today and forever. Our God changes not. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is the same God whom we worship. The God of Moses, Joseph, Daniel and his three friends, of the apostles and many more of heroes of the bible is the same God whom we worship.

When you are going through the storms of lives, take heart that our Lord Jesus Christ is greater than our situation. When all seems lost, hopeless and we are gripped by fear that often paralyses us, do not look at the storm. Instead, look at our Saviour and LORD Jesus Christ who will see us through the storm as He did with His disciples of old.